This is my method for harvesting Somnifariums. This spot had a big concentration of poppies. I tagged some colors I wanted there next year but the rest is a mix .

MY METHOD FOR HARVESTING ANNUAL POPPY SEEDS

Wait until seedpods are formed and bottom leaves turn brown.
I am harvesting in this area because it had more poppies than any other in the garden.

BEFORE



I pull the entire plant out of the ground, shaking excess dirt off.
There are some colors I especially want to leave in this spot to self sow. They get tagged while they are blooming and colors noted on tags.
I also tag colors to harvest just in that color .

AFTER ( Note tagged poppy left behind )



Loaded Kart goes to tying and bagging area.


I remove about one forth of the plant from the bottom. Its important to leave leaves and stems as they continue benefit the maturing seeds.
I bundle plants in sizes that I can get my hand around, tie them with twine or cable tie.
As the plants age they shrink so ties loosen, the bags will catch seeds and escaping plants.
Its important to have them bagged so seeds can drop into the bag and not scatter on the floor.
Plants are moist at this time.
Smaller bundles allow air to circulate as the plants continue to mature hanging upside down.




Dont over pack the paper bags as moisture will cause rot and mold in seed heads.


Store in a dry place until fall.



In the fall the plants will be brown. Shake the bag and listen for the loose seeds to rattle.

This is a Somnifarium Mix as I didn’t designate or save particular colors.
There are tagged colors for the harvest spot. Lavender, pink singles and pink doubles, dark grape singles and doubles.

I left a few plants of colors I wanted. These plants were near the border and I was concerned the seeds would mostly scatter onto the lawn.
I pulled two dark purple ones and tied them to the lily stems nearer the back.
I believe the seeds will scatter more naturally this way






This could be done for a new area where you might like poppies, just tie them to any upright object or plant.

Thanks for the good ideas on seed collection, Joanne.

I did not know that you could pull them when the pods were green and still have the seeds ripen!

I wait for the lower leaves to start to die,pods are still green but going hard and matuering.

Ah, I'll have to give that a try next year. Thanks for the tip!